Patients who live with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and are either asymptomatic or experience mild pain are focused on how they can improve their overall health. Preventing and reducing this condition that affects the blood flow circulation in the legs and feet is important for maintaining the quality of life and stopping the progression of PAD into its more serious stages. But you can take the first steps toward peripheral arterial disease treatment with Vascular & Interventional Specialists.
Serving patients in Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota, our peripheral arterial disease treatment specialists can help you avoid serious health complications such as heart attack, stroke, and amputation. Learn more about how Vascular & Interventional Specialists can help you manage the disease and reduce long-term impacts on your body. Read on and browse even more PAD resources on our blog!
Can Patients Fix Peripheral Artery Disease?
In short, yes. It is possible for patients living with early-stage peripheral arterial disease to lower their chances of being affected by the disease. A combination of surgical PAD treatment and lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk of the disease entering the later stages and causing even further health complications. Explore some of the ways you can take action right now to secure a healthier future for yourself!
Getting Started: The Diagnosis Process
If you suspect you have PAD, are part of a high-risk population, or notice common PAD symptoms, the first step is making changes if you visit your primary healthcare provider or Vascular & Interventional Specialists for screening and diagnosis. Vascular screening by angiogram can reduce the odds of amputation by as much as 90 percent, and it is key to discovering if you are living with this condition. Individuals who should look into getting a PAD screening every three to five years include:
- Patients who have (or have a family history of) obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol
- Frequent smokers or those who have a history of smoking
- Patients aged 50 or older
- Patients who have a family history of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
Once you have a firm understanding of peripheral arterial disease and if it’s been detected in your body, the next step is to implement a few simple lifestyle changes every single day.
Start Making Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes are an essential part of managing PAD and its symptoms and can be the first line of treatment that patients can manage on their own. The first and most important change is to quit smoking. Smoking is a major risk factor for PAD as it constricts blood vessels and reduces blood flow to your limbs; smoking can also damage the lining of your arteries, making them more susceptible to plaque buildup. By quitting smoking, you can improve your circulation and reduce your risk of complications.
Increasing physical activity is another important lifestyle change. Walking, cycling, and swimming are great low-impact exercises that can help improve circulation throughout the body, but most importantly the feet and legs. Regular exercise can also help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which are common risk factors for PAD. Vascular & Interventional Specialists recommend getting at least thirty minutes of physical activity five days a week.
Eating a healthy diet is also essential for managing PAD. This means including plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your meals. Aim to reduce your intake of saturated and trans fats, as well as processed and high-sugar foods; it’s also best to limit your sodium and alcohol intake. A heart-healthy diet can help to improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, and reduce your risk of PAD complications.
Research Minimally Invasive Surgical Treatments
If the above lifestyle changes and medication are not effective in managing or reducing your PAD symptoms, minimally invasive surgical peripheral arterial disease treatment may be an option! Vascular & Interventional Specialists housed top performers in the field of vascular treatment and can provide a better experience to patients than a hospital at a fraction of the cost. Our highly specialized staff can help guide patients through the benefits of same-day surgical peripheral arterial disease treatment. Surgeries that can help relieve symptoms and improve blood flow can include:
Angioplasty and Stenting: This procedure involves a small balloon catheter that widens the narrowed artery. Our medical professionals may insert a stent, which is a mesh tube, to maintain the widened artery to maximize blood flow.
Bypass Surgery: When healthy blood vessels from another part of the body are used to create a bypass circulatory route around the blocked artery. During this process, the plaque buildup is removed to improve blood flow.
